Submarine armor.



C. E. MACDUFFEE.

SUBMARINE ARMOR. APPLICATION FILED DB0. e, 1910.V

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

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wm/6@ @galn amg C. E. MACDUPFEE.

SUBMARINE ARMOR.

APPLICATION FILED 1330.6. 1910.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

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C. E. MAGDUPFEE.

SUBMARINE ARMOR. APPLIOATION FILED DEO. 6, 191.0.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

o a o fw my C. E. MACDUFFEE.

` SUBMARINE ARMOR. APPLIOATION FILED 1130.6, 1910.

989,530m Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

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CHESTER E. MACDUFFEE, OF NEW YORK, Y.. ASSIGNOIR F ONE-FIFTH TO GEORGEA'. l TRAVER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ONE-FIFTH TO J'AMES P. REID, OF NEWYORK,

N. Y., ONEFIFTH TO JOHN L. GORDON, WEST HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, AND ONE- IFIFTH TO ERNEST MEYER, OF TUXEDO, NEW YORK.

sUBMAmNE ARMOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Apr. 11, i911.

v vApplication filed December 6, 1910. Serial N o. 595,847.

To .all whom 'it may' concern.'

Be it known that I, CHESTER E. MACDUF- FEE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented an Improvement in Submarine Armor, of which thefollowing is a specification.

,l ln the diving suits heretofore employed consisting of a one piecesuit of rubber and canvas with a metallic breastplate or collar,

and a metal helmet secured thereto, work and exploration under water islimited to a certain depth, on account of the enormous water pressure onthe diver. With diving suits of such character only persons of perfecthealth and physique can pursue the calling; and a powerfulpump must beconstantly atv work above water for Supplying lair while the diver isdown,.because a stoppage of the pump at such time would result in thealmost instant death of the diver from Athe pressure of the water.

My inventionrelates to a submarine armor` for divers comprising ametallic suit conforming in general configuration to the shape of thehuman body and so'constructed natural motion of the body and limbs` en-fas-to withstand the water pressure at great depth, and in which thediver is completely incased; thearmor being provided with articulatedsections occupied by the legs and arms of the occupant, so as to allowof abling the diver tomove from place to place.

while prosthetic hands operated by a rod' and connections moved bv thenatural hands inside enable the diver to grasp and retain .the objectsof his Search, and perform other j duties inthe premises; and thefurther objects of my invention aretl) to 4rprovide means '-for.lengthening and shortening the "limb sections of the armor so that itmay be adapted to divers-of different stature; (2l

to provide joints capable of being adjustedy to regulate friction; (3)to provide means for allowing the'feetof the diver to be f' moved in alldirections, and (4) toprovide the varmor with a permanently attachedh01def-fofeieariciight lamps, so that u...

diver maybe relieved from carrying a lamp fin'his hand'. as lhasheretofore been necessary. I lattain these objects by the mechanismroller bearing frames.

illustrated in the which- Figure 1 is lan elevation of -my improvedsubmarine armor. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the upper body andhelmet portions of the armor. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section andpartial elevation of the hip and leg sections of the armor. Fig. 4 is a`see tion and partial elevation at the dotted line of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is asection and partial elevation at the dotted line m1 m1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6'is a section at the dotted liney m2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a section atthe rlotted line y, y, of Fig. 3. Fig;A 8 is a side view and Fig. 9 aplan View of the ring' member and its runners for supporting the legsections. Fig. 10 isjanelevation and Fig. 11 is a plan view of a portionof a roller j frame and its rollers employed at the various joints. Fig.12 is a sectional view in larger accompanying drawings, in

size of one of the side bearing frames and Fig. 16.is an edge shoulderjoints. Fig.` 18 is a sectional view .in larger size of the swivel jointbetween the knees and ankles. Fig. 19 is asectionat the 'dotted line e,z, of Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a plan view of a portion of the spacing ringsshown in Fig. 1 8. Fig. 21.is a section at the dotted line a1 .elFig.18. Fig. 22 is a plan of a porf tion of the presser .packing rings..Fig. 23 is a sectional view of a4 modification ofthe Similanreferenceletters and numerals The main bodyA portion; (if` the armor is of, aygeneral shape `andiconfiguration to con-)- refer to'similar partsthroughout the .sevf eral views. f

form as nearly as possible with theshapem` This bodyy portion is`preferably 'made in and configuration ofthe human bodyfconsisten't withthe character' of the Structure.' f

three sections as shown, that is, a central I or stomach section1,.anabdominal and hip section 2 and a chest and neck section 3. Thehelmet 4 may be made integral with the chest and neck section 3 ifdesired, but I prefer to make it a separate part to be screwed into theupper body section 3 as has heretofore been done, or it may be removablysecured thereto in any other suitable manner. The helmet 4 is providedwithI three glasses at 5, one on top and one on either side to admitlight into the helmet,

-and these glasses are permanently secured in a water-tight manner asusual. There is also a front glass 6 on the helmet which is made tounscrew and enable the diver to receive or give instructions withoutremoving thehelmet, when the diver is above water.

The chest and neck section 3 has a flange 3L extending around its loweredge, and the abdominal and hip section 2 has a flange 2u extendingaround its upper edge, while the stomach section 1 has a flange 1aextending around its upper edge, and a flange 1b extending around itslower edge, and when the parts are assembled, the flange 1b of thesection 1, rests upon the flange 2a of the section 2, while the flange3a of the section 3 rests upon the flange 1a of the section 1 and thesections are then secured together in any suitable manner, butpreferably by bolts 7 passing through bolt-holes in said flan es. Theseconnections are of course ren ered water-tight by means of suitablepacking. I prefer that the sections 1 and 3 be connected at a pointcentral of the shoulder joint as shown.

At the shoulder on each side of the armor there is a circular opening 9,the metal surrounding such openings on the interior being inwardlyextended a predetermined distance andl forming annular sockets 10interiorly screw-threaded and having inturned flanges 11 to receive andsupport the arm sections hereafter described. See Figs. 4 and 15. Theybottom of the lower section 2 is shaped semi-circularly from front torear,

13 are in parallel plane and are preferably"- somewhat V-shaped in crosssection, but may be of any shape desired where the under surface isinclined'from front to back.

Two openings 14 are formed at a predetermined distance apart in. thebottom and curved portion of the section 2 which openings are slightlyelongated in a direction from front to rear. The top portions of theupper leg sections 15 are interiorly screwthe width of the elongatedopenings 14 so Y as to be received therein and have forward and backwardmovement without friction.

Within the abdominal or hip section 2 there are bearing membersconsisting of a cylindrical part 16 interiorly screw-threaded and havingat the top on either side right angle projections 16a curved to conformto the curvature of t-he lower portion of the abdominal or hip section2. These right angled projections 16a form supporting runners for theleg sections as hereinafter described and are preferably provided ontheir top and bottom surfaces with flat hardened steel strips 16"-securely fastened thereto in any suitable manner. See Fig. 12. Thesebearings members 16 are connected with the upper leg sections 15 bycylindrical couplings 17 screw-threaded on their exterior at top andbottom, and having an intervening or central annular rib 17al formingstops for both the bearing members and the upper leg sections.

Upon t-he upper leg sections 15 and preferably made integral therewithare guardplates 18, curved to conform to the curvature of the abdominalor hip section 2 and coming closely adjacent to said section 2, but notin frictional contact therewith. These guard plates 18, are of a size tooverlap and completely cover the openings 14 in the lower section 2 inall movements of the upper leg sections within such openings.

Around the outer edge of each of the guard-plates 18 I provide ametallic clamping ring 19, which are securely fastened to theguard-plates 1'8 by bolt or screws 19a. lThese clamping rings 19 arerabbeted yat 20 to receivea leather or other suitable packing 21 whichfills the rabbeted portions 20 all around and extends outward therefromin reduced thickness to the outer edges of the clamping rings 19, andbetween the same and the outer surface of the abdominal and hip section2 and entirely fills such spaces, thus preventing' the leakage of waterbetween the guard-plates 1 8 andlthe said section 2.

At each side of the abdominal and hip section 2 below the ribs 13 Iemploy bearing frames 22, the outer edges of which are curved to exactlycorrespond with the curve of the said section 2. These bearing frames 22are placed immediately inside the openings 12 in the section 2 and bearagainst ribs or stops 23 secured to or made integral'with the metal ofthe section 2.I In that surface fof each of these bearingvframes facinginward is cut a groov'e'24 the entire length'of the frame, which grooveshave exactly the' same curvature as' the outer edges of the bearing.frames and consequently the same curvature as the abdominal and hipsection 2.

@sasso l The upper and lower surfaces of the grooves 24 are preferablycovered .with fiat strips 25 of hardened steel, see Fig. 12.

below the runners-16a `within the grooves;

the outer edges of 2said grooves arelprovided @with lips `27 whichreta-in the rollerswithin the grooves when the supportinglrunners 16'"are-.provided with 'trunnions which enter are placedbetween theupperandflo'wer The' `rollers 26 are4 preferably slightly tapered or roundedat their edges lsee'l'j`ii;.f12, and

elongated openings ina curved-iframe 26a on either side which* framesvare connected together at their ends', they rollers vbeing of slightlygreater diameterthan the width of the side frames, and the side frameshaving a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the grooves 24.These` rollers and these runner frames are,v illustrated lin enlargedsize in FigsL 10 and 11. Jlllhe rollers 26 forniy a top' and bottombearingfor the supporting runners 16a while they in turn have a bearingupon the hardened steel surfaces at the top and bottom of the grooves.To give additional strength to the bearing frames 22 1 provide thebraces 27a 27b and 2'?c which 'are preferably made integral with thegrooved frame-s 22. The crotch bearing, that is, the bearings for theinner sides of the leg sections, is'made the Same as the side bearingjust described, except that the member '22 is made double, that is,provided on .v each sidewith'the grooves 24, and the two sets of rollers2 6 with their runner-frames 26 in each groove, receiving, between themthe supporting runners 16a for the inner sides 'of the right and leftleg respectively. 0n each side of this central bearing frame 22 there isa rib or stop 23 attached to the -abdomina and hip section2 by whichlat- 'eral movement of the frame 22 is prevented.

llt being lnecessary for the occupant of the arinor to" straddle thisentral bearing, the braces 2'?a 27 and 27 are 4dispensed with and thetopsurface vof the bearing. is rounded at the edges, While 'in lieu ofthebraces spacedA Anplartholes .are bored through the frame 22 tobottoni into which are passed 'screws'or 4bolts 28 screw-threaded ontheir, lower ends and which ends screw into screw-, threaded holes'inthe bottom of thesection.

2, the'met'allat this point being thickened outwardly forsu'ch purpose.The 'heads of, `the screws -orbolts 2 8 are `counter-sunkinz theraxne22so that` the top of this frame, may present afsmooth surface to theoccujlt pant. These screws or bolts 28 are onl'yinserted after alladjustment 'of parte has and thereby lessen the friction between theland. 'a'djustedy the side openings 22 areY inclined correspondingly vtothe in.- clined surface of the ribs 13 and between the ends of theframes 22 and the under surface of the ribs 13, adjustable wedges 29 areinserted, by .which means the joints may b e adjusted to accommodatethem tothe water pressure at varying depths. That is to say thewaterpressure upon the' guard-plates 18 will vary at different depthsand affect the compression of the packing 21 and frictional 75 `Contactof the same with the abdominal and hipsection 2 to a greater or lessextent" accordingly, and the object of the wedges 29 is to relieve thecompression on the packing 21 same and the said section 2 when the waterpressure is of too great force.

yThe wedges 29 are rendered adjustable by the following means. Lugs 30are formed upon the respective ends of the bearing frames 22 at suchdistance from the outer edges of such frames as to come in front of 'andcloselyadjacent tothe front edge of the ribs 13 when the parts areassembled.- These lugs each have a screw-threaded hole into which ispassed a bolt 31 preferably provided with a square-head and Screwthreaded on that portion within lthe hole in the lug and meshing withthe screw thread therein. The other end of the bolt is without screwthread and is providedwith an annular recess or groove 32. This end ofthe bolt passes into a hole in the'end of the wedge 29, and is revolublyretained therein by a pin 33 which passes through the side of the 100wedge and enters the recess or groove 32 in the end of the bolt. A locknut 34 is prefer- `ably provided for each bolt to hold the vsame in theposition to which the wedge may be y adjusted. lt will readily be seenthat by forcing the wedges 29 between the end of the bearing frames 22and the ribs 13 by means of the bolts 31 the frames 22 will be forceddownward, and carry with them all .the parts of the upper -leg sectionsand consequently relieve the pressure upon the packing 21 or vice versa.

If desired, cap pieces 22c may be employed at the ends of the frames 22,said caps having tenons 22d to fit into the grooves in 115 said frames,so that the wedgesl 29 may have a solid bearing surface; and also if sodesired the wedges 29 may have lips 29a see Figs. 3 and 7 'along theirupper'a-nd lower longitudinal edges Whichglips rwill f1toverl 120 theedges of thefends of the frames and `prevent any side-wise ,movementA ofcthe Tw/edges; andin this jcase therejmay` be- AAAcross-g'roo'ves`providedin 4the ribs 13` to ref ceivelthe projecting lips on` theupper. vpart lof the wedges. z v

. After all .the parts are properly assembled I 12 are vclosed bvcover-plate's 35, which are secured 7 to the abdominal and hip sectionV2 by bolts 130 being a suitable packin 36, a suitable packingintervening to render the joint water-tight.. It is preferable that themetal composing these cover-plates 35 be ribbed to give additionalstrength to these parts.

I-Iaving thus fully described the construction of the hip joints, Iwould say that the same description is applicable to the joint-s Wedges29 and ribs 13; t-he ends of the bearing frames 22 in such cases beingmade to fit and bear against the extended portion of the metal of thearmor as shown in Fig. 23. I will now describe thosc features of myinvention which provide for lengthening and shortening the limb sectionsso that the armor may be adapted to divers of different stature. j I Theupper leg sections 15 have upon the-ir interior surface at a suitabledistance from their lower Iends a screw-threaded portion 37. Thelegsections 38 above the knees are of smaller diameter than the sections 15so as to telescope or be capable of vertical or revoluble movementtherein, and upon the outer surface of the sections 38 for thel greaterpart' of that portion within the sections' 15 there is provided ascrew-thread 39 which meshes with the interior screw threads 37 on thesections 15, thus allowing the length of the leg sections between thehips and knees to be lengthened or shortened, and if desired, a scalemay be marked on the parts to assist in accurate adjustment. A verticalgroove or recess 40 is cut on the opposite sides of each section 38,which grooves extend the ent-ire length of the threaded portions, andwhen` the sections 15 and 38 are adjusted in the desired relation `toeach other, they are locked in such position by set--screws 37a whichpass through holes in'the sections 15 and enter the grooves 40 in thesections 38. See Figs. 3 and 6.

The lower ends of the'sections 15 are exteriorly screw-threaded, andpacking rings 41 are provided which screw upon such screw-threaded endsof the sections 15, there 42 between the rings 41 and the lower en ofthe sections 15, which packing also extends between the ring 41 and theouter surface of the section 38, thus rendering these telescopicconnections water-tight. This extensible arrangement isL providedbetween the knees and 4ankles and 'also in t-he arm sections, and theconstruction being alike in all these places,

further.' .description is unnecessary, and the formed is thickened onthe outside of the leg openings,y and the outer surfaces of thesesections are screw-threaded. A comparatively deep annular recess 47 lisformed in the upper part of each of these lower leg sections 4 5 whichrecesses extend from the wall 46a thereof all the`4 way across the topof the sections 45. At a point slightly distant from its leg openings ineach of the sections 45, an annular recess 46 is formed. Within theserecesses 46 and secured to. the bottom thereof are flat strips ofhardened steel forming annular bearing rings 48. Rollers 49 preferablytapered to follow a true circle, are placed within the recesses 46 andrest upon the bearing rings 48. Spacer rings 50 having projections orlugs 51 which come between the rollers 49 keep the rollers in regularspaced apart order. These spacer rings 50 are preferably of hardenedsteel. These spacer rings and rollers are plainly illustrated inenlarged size in Figs. 10, 19, 20 and 21.

The outer portion of the leg section`44 at its lower end is steppedforming shoulder 52 and 53 and is provided with screw threa` s for ashort distance above the shoulder 52. A ring section 54 interiorlyscrew-threaded surrounds this portion ofthe leg sections 44, the screwthreads on each vmeshing together, while the bottom of the ring 54 restsupon the upper shoulder 52. This ring 54 is undercut on its outerlsurface forming an annular recess 55 see Fig. 18 of peculiar shape. Flathardened steel rings 53a rest` uponthe shoulders 53.l The outsidecylindrical members 56 extend the full width of the joints and areinteriorly screw-threaded to mesh with the screw-threads on the outersurfaces of the leg sections 45, above which point they are providedwith an interior angular projection 57, the extreme inner portion ofwhich comes closely adjacent to that portion of the leg sections 44between the shoulders 52 and 53 while they are recessedat a pointregistering with the shoulders 53, in which recess is a hardened steelring 58 and into the space thus formed between the two rings 53a and. 58are placed steel balls 59, which have bearing upon said rings. Theseballs may be spaced apart in any suitable-manner, `but Iv prefer to cmploy revoluble rings 61a provlded with .110 hereafter described. linewith the shoulder 52 this inwardly pro'- spaced apart holes into whichthe balls are contained and revolve, similar to the rings At a point on"a jecting portion of the member 56 is provided with a correspondingshoulder 60 and within the recess formed by these shouldersI is placed apacking 'ring 61. .Beginning at a point on a line with the upper surfaceof this packing ring 61 the inner surface of the member 56 is inclinedupwardly to a point Y on aline with the undercut in the ring 54, abovewhich inclined portion is another shoulder v6()a from which point themember 56 is screw-threaded to its top.

Within the recess formed between the inclined portions of the melnber 56and the ring 54 which recess is somewhat Y-shaped in cross sect-ion isplaced a packing 62 cupshapedin cross section and within this cupshapedpacking is placed a presser ring 63.` This ring is formed ofa flatcircular strip of spring metal notched along the edges and thoseportions between the notches turned slightly upward. These portionspress againstthe inner sides of the cup-shaped packing and force themoutwardly in contact with the sides of the recess. This presser ring isillustrated more clearly in Figj22; The packings 62 acting inconjunction with the packing ring 61 upon which they rest, eflectuallyrender these swivel joints watertight. A

After the parts described have been assembled the top ring 64 is screwedinto place when it rests upon the shoulder 60n of the member 56 whilethe broad annular flange 64a upon said ring 64 extends over the topsurface of the ring 54. r1`he short lugs 65 taking against the stops 66limit the movement von each side. The upper arm sections 67 are stepped'on their outer circumference forming annular shoulders 68, 69 and 70,the shoulder 68 being extended upwardly forming the annular flanges 68a.The surface of these arm sections between the shoulders 68 and 69isprovided with screw threads; that portion between the shoulders 69 and70 being plain and smooth, while that portion extending inwardly fromthe shoulders 70 is screw-,threaded to the point where these armsections enter the sockets 10; Upon these screw-threaded pory tions ofthe arm sections67. are screwed vshoulders 72a and 72b.

hardened steel rings 7l having an annular thickened rib or projection71a.

The cylindrical members 72 are of a diameter to fit lsnuglywithin theshoulder sockets l0, and their inner ends rest against Vthe flanges 11of said sockets. Thesevmem bers 72 are' stepped on the interior leavingannular shoulders 72a 72b and 72c and are provided with -a"screwthreadbetween the l Between' these members 7-2 and the steel rings 71-there ispropacer ring 85.

vided the ring member 73 having flanges 7 3a which contact with theshoulders 7 2a of the members 72 and are screw-threaded to mesh with thescrew-threads on the members 72. The outer ends of these members 73 donot reach as far as the shoulders 72b upon the members 72 thus leavingan annular space between the outer ends of the member- 73 andtheshoulder 72J on the member 72. Within 'these annular spaces are bearingballs or rollers 75 and hardened steelrings 76 intervene between vtheserollers 75 and the surface of the member 72. The rollers 75 have abearing onone side against the steel flanges 71a of the rings 71 and onthe other side against ithe rings 76.' 4Another and larger annularrecess is formed between the outer surface ofv the lower portion of themember 73, and the inner surface of the flange 71a on the ring 71.

Flat but slightly tapered hardened steel rings 79 are secured to theouter surface of the members 73 and between the same and the innersurface of these flanges 71a on the ring 71, which are also slightlytapered, and

having a bearing on such surfaces are placedsteel rollers 80 tapered tofollow a true cntvcle; these rollers are to be separated one from theother in any. suitable manner but preferably by a ring81 provided withprojections coming between the rollers such. as the rings 50 beforedescribed in connectlon with the lower leg joint illustrated in en.-larged size in Fig. 18. A similar bearing is provided in the vannularspace between the outer surface of the flange 71L and the shoulder 72con the member 72, by means of the Jflat steel ring 83,the steel rollers84 and the A recess for packing, which recess is somewhat Y-shaped incross section is formed between the ring section 88 and the ring section74 which is screwed to the section 87.

Within this recess is placed a leather or other suitable packing ring 89and upon this packing ring is placed another packing strip l90cup-shaped in cross section, and withm this cup-shaped packing is placeda presser! ring 91, all similar to those before described andillustrated in enlarged size in Fig. 18. 'i After the parts describedhavebeen assembled within the shoulder sockets 10, the locking rings 92are screwed into the shoulder sockets 10 down upon' the shoulders 93 ofthe cylindrical members 72, and to provide against any possibility ofthese locking rings 92 working loose, make use'of'the setscrews`94 whichpass through holes in the flanges 923011 the'lodlring rings 92 andenter" screw-threaded holes in the metal of the sections 1 and 3. Anydesired number of these set-screws 94 may be employed at spaced apartdistances aroundf the flanges 92a. 1

prefer! that `the screw-thread `upon thesevlocking ,rings i 92l haveintervening blank spaces as shown in Fig. 16 and that the screw-threadson the sockets 10 be of like character, so that the locking rings can bequickly positioned and the parts locked by a'fraction of a turn. Lugs 95upon the inner ends of the upper arm sections 67 limit the swing of thearms by coming in contact with the stops 96. See Fig. 2.. The tubular'cylindrical ends ofthe lower arm sections 97 are' interiorlyscrew-threaded between the shoulders 98 and 99 and on those portionsbelow the shoulders '99. A flanged tubular section 100 eXteriorlyscrew.threaded' to mesh with the screw-thread on each arm section 97 isscrewed into place with its'top in contact with the shoulder 98 on thearmsection 97. A ring 101 of a depth to fit between the shoulder 99 oneach arm section 97 and the ends of such sections, and eXteriorlyscrew-threaded to mesh with the screw-thread on such portions of the armsection 97- and of such width that its inner circumference coincideswith that part of the flanged section 100 having the largest innerdiameter, is screwed into position on each arm section 97. Upon both theupper and lower surfaces of the flanges 100a of the sections 100 andrecessed therein is secured hardened steel rings 102.

The' tubular cylindrical sections 103 have inner shoulders 104, andouter shoulders 105 and 106. Below the shoulders 106 the outsidediameter is reduced for a certain distance and then again reduced for ashorter distance to its lower end, and this portion of smallest diameterat the end is exteriorly screw-threaded.. These tubular cylindricalsections 103 are also eXteriorly screw-threaded for a short distanceimmediately above the shoulders 105, and onto these screw-threadedportions are screwed rings 107 interiorly screw-threaded for suchprpose., Upon the tops of these rings 107 and secured thereto are flatrings 108 'of har# dened steel, and in the annular recesses betweenthese steel rings and the steel rings 102, on the under surfaces of theflanges 100l are steel balls 109, which are preferably carried in rings110, there being spaced holes in said rings which are drilled slightlylarger -than the diameter of the balls, and

slightly swaged after the balls are introduced to keep the balls inplace. The balls projecting through the rings on either side.

Head sections 111 having a tubular cylindrical portion 111 exteriorlyscrew-threaded to mesh with the screw threads -on the in- 'terior of thesections 103 are provided and 4interior shoulders 104 of the section103.

On'the under surfaces and adjacent the ends 4 of the flanges 111. of'thesections 111 are secured hardened steel rings 112. and between theserings 112 and the steel rings 102 on the i tops of the iianges 100a 'ofthe sections 100 are steel balls 113 carried in a ring 113a in a similarmanner to the rings 110 before described. There is an annular projection114 exteriorly screw-threaded upon the top of each section 111, to whichare screwed the frames 115; the base of. these frames are ring-shapedand interiorly screw-threaded to mesh with the screw-threads on the pro-'such as before described, that is, flat rings 117 of leather or othersuitable material; rings 118 cup-shaped in cross section and springpresser rings 119` which prevent the entrance of water at these points.Attac-hed to the lower part of the sections 103 by screw-threadconnection are the tubular cylindrical sections 120 exteriorlyscrewthreaded below their undercut heads 120? and bearing against theseundercut heads there are gripper supporting frames 121, consisting ofhorizontal arms having ringshaped centers interiorly screw-threaded tomesh with thescrew-threads on the sections 120, the ends of thesehorizontal arms being curved downwardly and having right-angled branches1,21a of bowed form with bolt holes at their lower ends. Ring nuts 122are screwed up against the under surfaces of the horizontal arms tofurther secure them in position.

Hollow cylindrical end sections 123 interiorly screw-threaded arescrewed upon the exteriorly screw-threaded portions of the sections 120.There are central circular openings through these end sections 123 andalso through the head-pieces 111 which openings are of correspondingcircumference and intrue alinement. Round steel rods 124 of a diameterto slide up 'and down and revolve without undue friction are placedwithin these openings and project for predetermined distances both aboveand below the sections 111 and 123. The upper ends of these rods 124 areprovided with handles 124g. These handles may be secured to the rods byscrews as shown or in anyother suitable manner.

The lower ends of the rods 124 are screwt-hreaded and are screwed intointeriorly screw-threaded hubs of bowed frames 125, (see Fig. 14) thelower ends of which are provided with bolt holes which receive the bolts126, which are shouldered against the inside of the frames and retainedin position by nuts 127 on the outside of said frame. These 'bolts 126pass through elongated openings 128 in the'upper ends of inwardly curvedgripper fingers 129 which are pivotally mounted upon the bolts 13() onthe frames 121 which bolts are provided with end nuts 131. Thecurvature's of the gripper fingers on the oppositely positioned boltsface each other andthe fingers are separated one frbm the other on eachbolt the desireddistance apartl by suitable inter-- vening washers 132.4

'A helical spring 133 surrounds the rods 124 `within the tubularsections 1,03 and 111, the lower ends of these springs taking against afixed collar 134 on the rods 124 while their upper ends bear against theunder surfaces of the head sections 111. Stops 135 securely fixed to therods 124 above 'die head sections ,111., limit the downward movement ofthe rods and consequently the ,out-

ward throw of the gripper fingers 129. The cross bars 115b form a. restfor the palms ofthe natural hands of the occupant of the armor and atthe same time permit his fingers to grasp the handles 124a by which hemay operate the mechanism in either direction and be able to grasp-anobject by the gripping fingers 129 and retain the same. The stufiingboxes receive a soft packing material 137 by which water is-pr'eventedfrom entering naround the rods 124 at their lower parts.

136 are followers acting upon the pac-king.

4"When the diver pulls up the rods 124, the springs -133 are compressed,Aand the ends of the oppositely disposed gripper fingers are broughttoward each other, and it is preferable that they be so positioned as toallow the ends of the fingers to slightly pass between those opposite,which will en able the diver to grasp a smaller article than if theoppositely disposed fingers met at their ends. When the diver loosenshis grasp on the handles 124a the springs 133" eXpa-nd'and force therods 124 downward,

thus causingl the outward throw of 'the gripper fingers 129 by ltheaction ofthe bolts 126 inthe elongated -openings 128 in the upper endsofV said grippers; this outward throw ofth o grippers being limited bythe stop 135.` ff i v The springs 133 will be-made of various sizes .orstrength according tothe depth of water to be' worked in, that is, ofsuiiicient tension to overcome the water pressure,.fric

,tionfof packing and'. a surplus tension to automaticallyforce down ltherods 124 and causev a full'opening of the gripper fingerswhen'f-thediverf 'releases his. grip on the handles. Thegripper fingersmaybe varied as to size and shape if desired.

On the stomach section of the armorthere is 'aoss 1381prferably fianged,for the re-` cepti nlof a casing orvholder 139 for electric,

lamps. This holder 139 may be vof' any desired shape, but I prefer tomake it of rectangular shape as shown, having a rear flange forattachement to the boss 138 by bolts or otherwise and provided withtrans verse ribs 140 which form a support for the front glass or glasses141v which must be of suiiicient thickness to withstand the pressures towhich it may be subjected. The transverse ribs also act to strengthenthe casing. The holder 139 is provided at the front edge with a flangeto which the frame 139a which holds the glass in posit-ion is attachedby bolts. A suitable bushing with proper insulation is fixedin anopening-142 in the armor behind the holder 139 forl the passage of the'electric conductors, which enter the armor through a suitable bushing143 at the back of the shoulders An attachment for hose connection isindicated in Figs. 1 and 2 at 144, and 145 illusf trates a swingingattachment connected to the shoulders of the suit for the hoist rope1455*. A boss or flanged portion 142a is provided on the back of thearmor for the attachment of a casing 142b tocontain a pumpl (not shown).The bottoms of the shoes o1' feet sections 146v are preferably weightedto assistv in maintaining the equilibrium. The metal comprising the ribs13 may be cut awa-y betweenthose portions forming bearings for thewedges 29Y if desired, thereby giving additional space at s-uch pointswithin the armor. .The diverienters the armor before the upper sectionsare united to the abdominal section,.and by my peculiar construction ofjoints, thediver can readily occupy the leg and feet sections withoutsepa# rating any of those sections from each other.

l claim as my invention:

1. An armor for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichApermit natural movements to the limbs of the diver, and means forlengthening or shortening such sections so that they may be accom`inodated to, divers of different stature.

2Q An armor for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichpermit natural movements to the limbs of the diver, and means foradjusting the joints to vary the frictional contact of the parts'to com-115 pensate the pressure of water at varying depths.

3.14m armor .for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichpermit natural movements to'thelimbs of the diver,` 120 `means forlengthening' or shortening such section-s, and means for adjusting thejoints to vary the frictional contact of the parts to compensatepressure of water at varying depths. j 125 4. An armor for submarinedivers, com- 1 prising jointedsections which-permit natu-V Aral'movements to the limbs ofthe diver, and

incombination, means for lengthening or shorten-ing'such jointedsections, and means 130 for locking the same in the positions to whichthey may be adjusted.

5. An armor for submarine divers, having jointed sections which permitnatural movements to the limbs of the diver, and in combination meansfor adjusting the joints -to vary the frictional contact of the parts tocompensate the pressure of water at varying depths, and means formaintaining the adjustment.

6. An armor for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichpermit natural movements to the limbs of the diver, and in combination,means for lengthening or shortening such sections, means for locking thesame in the adjusted positions, means for adjusting the joints to varythe frictional contact of the parts to compensate the pressure of waterat varying depths, and means for maintaining the adjustment.

7. An armor for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichermit natural movements to the limbs of t e diver, the sections betweenthe joints telescoping and the outer sections |being interiorlyscrewthreaded and the inner sections exterior-ly.

screw-threaded to mesh. with the screw threads of the outer sectionswhereby lthe limb sections may be lengthen'ed or shortened, and meansfor securing the sections in the positions to which they may be soadjusted.

8. An armor for submarine divers, comprising jointed sections whichpermit natural movements to the limbs of the diver, the sections betweenthe joints telescoping, the outer sections being interiorlyscrew-threaded and the inner sections eXteriorly screw-threaded to meshwith the screw threads of the outer sections, whereby the limb sectionsmay be 4lengthened or shortened, means for securing the sections in thepositions to which they may be so adjusted, and means for preventing theleakage of waterv between such sections.

9. In an armor for submarine divers, and in combination, jointedsections which permit natural movements to the limbs of the diver, meansfor adjusting the' joints of such in combination with the under part ofthe lower body section, having two spaced apart elongated openings, ofthree bearing frames and said central bearing frame having acorrespondingly curved groove on each side thereof, means formaintaining said bearing frames in their respective positions, tubularcylindrical sections, one of which extends through each of saidelongated openings, each of said tubular cylindrical sect-ions havingcurved right-angled projections at the top on each side, whichprojections enter the curved grooves in said bearing frames and areslidable therein, and spaced apart rollers within each of said groovesboth above and below such right-angled projections providing a top andbottom bearing therefor.

l1. In an armor for submarine divers and in combination with the underpart of the lower body section, having two spaced apart elongatedopenings, of three bearing frames within such body section, one being ateither side of such section and the third extending across the centerfrom front to rear thereof, said side bearing frames each having acorrespondingly curved groove in its inner face, and said centralbearing frame having a correspondingly curved groove on each sidethereof, ribs upon the bottom of said body section upon which saidbearing frames bear and by which they are held from lateral movement,projections upon the said body section at the front and back thereof atpredetermined points above the top ends of said bearing frames,adjustable wedges between such projections andthe top'ends of thebearing frames, tubular cylindrical sections, one of which extendsthrough each of the elongated openings in the bottom of the bodysection, each ofs-aid tubularcylindrical 'sections having curved rightangled projectionsy at the top on each side which projections enter thecurved grooves in said bearing frames and are slidable therein, andvrollers within each of said grooves upon which said projections have abearing.

l12. In an armor for submarine `divers and in combination with a Vbottombody section curved from front to rear and having two spaced apartelongated openings therein, of three bearing frames withinsaid bodysection, one being at either side thereof and the third extendingacrossthe' center from,

front to rear, saidside bearing fra-mes each having a correspondinglycurved groove in its inner face and said central bearing frame having acorrespondingly curved groove on each side thereof, side bearings forsaid frames upon the interior surface of the bottom of said bodysection, projections upon the interior surface of said body section atthe front .and back at predetermined points above the top ends of eachof said bearing frames, adjustable wedges between such projections andthe top ends of the bearing frames,'tubular cylindrical sections, one.of which extends through each of the elongated openings in the bottom ofthe body section, each of said tubular cylindrical sections havingcurved right angled projections at the top on each side, whiclrprojections enter the curved grooves in said bearing frames and areslidable therein, rollers within each of said grooves upon which saidprojections have a bearing, a guard plate upon eachy of said tubularcylindrical sections at a point out-side said body section but closelyadjacent thereto, said guardplates being of curved form corresponding tothe curvature of `the body section, and means for prevent` ing theleakage of water between said guard-plates and said body section.

13. ln an armor for submarine divers and in combination with a bottombody section curved from front to rear, having two spaced apartelongated openings therein, of three bearing frames within said bodysection, one being at either side thereof and the third extending acrossthe center from front to rear, said side bearing frames each having acorrespondingly curved groove in its inner' face, and said centralbearing frame having a correspondingly curved groove on each sidethereof, side bearings for said frames upon the interior surface of thebottom of said body section, projections upon the interior surface ofsaid body section at the front andv back at predetermined c points abovethe top ends of each of said bearingframes, adjustable Wedges betweensuch projections and the top ends of the bearing frames, tubularcylindrical sections, one of which extends through each of the elongatedopenings in the-bottom of the body section, each of said tubularcylindrical sections having curved right angled projections at the topon each side, which projections enter the curved grooves in said bearingframes and are slidable therein,

.rollers within each of said grooves upon which said projections have abearing, a guard plate upon each of said tubular cylindrical sections ata point outside lsaid body ,section but closely adjacent thereto, saidguard plates being of curved form corresponding to the curvature of thebody section, clamping rings secured to the guard plates around theirouter edges, such clamping rings being rabbeted, and a packing materialwithin which such rabbeted parts eX- tending outward therefrom inreduced thickness to the outer edges of the clamping rings and bearingagainst the outer surface of the body section. l

14. In an armor for submarine divers and in combination with acylindrical body and tubular cylindrical limb sections with articulateconnection between theV body and leg sect-ions, of knee, ankle and elbowjoints, each of such joints comprising in combination., two meetingsections, the upper one of said sections having a curved bottom and anelongated opening therein, bearing frames within such section, one ateach side thereof and each provided with a curved groove in its innerface, bearings upon the interior surface of the bottom of the curvedsection for said frames, the lower one of said meeting sectionsextending through the said elongated opening in the upper section andhaving curved right angled projections at the top on each side whichprojections enter the curved grooves in said bearing frames and areslidable therein, rollers within each of said grooves forming bearingsfor said projections, a guard-plate upon said lower section at a pointoutside the upper section but closely adjacent thereto, said guard-platebeing of curved form ycorresponding to the curvature of the bottom ofthe upper section, and means for preventing the leakage of water betweensaid guardplate and said upper section.

l5. In an armor for submarine divers, the combination with the body,leg, foot and arm members having articulated connecting sections, ofswivel joints located between the knee and ankle joints, comprising incombi nation, upper and lower tubular cylindrical ing rollers in saidannular grooves, spacer rings separating said bearing rollers one fromthe other, outer ring sections screwed to the said lower sections andhaving inwardly projecting iianges, bearing balls between said flangesand the lower annuw lar shoulders on said upper sections, top ringsections screwed into the said outer sections above the flanges thereon,ring sections screwed upon the said upper sections above the top annularshoulders thereon leaving annular recesses between the same and theinner surfaces of the flanges on said outer ring sections, and a packingwithin such annular recesses.

16. In an armor for submarine divers, the combination with the body, legand foot members having articulated connecting sections, of connectionsfor the arm sections to the body member, comprising in combination,sockets upon the body member, one at each side thereof project-inginwardly and having inturned flanges on their inner ends, said socketsbeing partially interiorly screw-threaded, arm sections stepped on theirouter circumference forming annular shoulders thereon, steel rings (71)having an annular projection (71a) and screwedto the arm sections,cylindrical members (72) whose inner circumferences it within the saidsockets with their inner edges resting against the flanges thereon, saidcylindrical members having outer'shoulders near their inne-r ends andinterior annular shoulders and screw-threaded between two of the innershoulders, ring-members (73) havin flanges which Contact with the innershoulders on said cylindrical members, and which are screw-threaded tosaid members, bearing rollers between the said cylindrical inembers andthe annular projections on said rings (71) and bearing upon theperiphery thereof, steel rollers on either side of the projections uponthe said steel rings and forming bearings between said projections andthe cylindrical members and also between said projections and theflanges of the said ring member (73), a packing to prevent leakage ofwater between the parts, and locking rlngs screwing into thesocketsaround the outer surfaces` of said cylindrical .members and .contactingwith the outer shoulders on said members. I

17. -In an armor for submarine divers, the

connecting sections, of tubular cylindricalsections within the openIends of. the forearm sections,.bal1 bearings for the same, rods passingcentrally through said tubular cylindrical sections, handles upon theends of said rods within the fore-arm sections, gripf per fingersexterior of the fore-arm sections and pivotally connected with the endsof said rods and by which they are operated, springs within the saidtubular cylindrical sections bearing against the upper one of saidsect-ions at their tops, collars lixed to said rods and forming abearing for the lower ends of said springs, and packings for preventingthe leakage of water into the fore-arm sections.

Signed by me this first day of December

